Can you sue a church?

Discussion in 'Religion' started by Magical Realist, Feb 27, 2015.

  1. Magical Realist Valued Senior Member

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    This lady is suing an evangelistic church for falling down and injuring herself during Holy Spirit possession.

    http://www.christianpost.com/news/woman-sues-evangelical-church-for-holy-spirit-injuries-68102/

    I saw an ad the other day on TV for a lawfirm that specialized in lawsuits against the Church of Scientology and their questionable practices. CAN a church be sued for damages, mental suffering, sex abuse, or even wrongful death? Or does religion get a carte blanche when it comes to whatever the hell it wants to do to you?
     
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  3. cluelusshusbund + Public Dilemma + Valued Senior Member

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    Ive seen people get the Holey Gost... then jump around/fall down/roll around/run around the pews wit ther eyes closed an ther arms folded over ther chest... etc... an none of 'em got hurt... an that woman can prolly sue the church... but from my religious perspective... i dout she realy got the Holey Gost or she woudnt of got hurt.!!!
     
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  5. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    Yes, you can sue a church.
     
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  7. Trooper Secular Sanity Valued Senior Member

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    Hey…maybe we should file a class action suit, you know, for false advertising.
     
  8. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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    I think that many people that were sexually abused by Priests were suing the church for doing so. The church didn't want to go to court so those who sued got paid off by the church so that their Priests could go back to another church and molest children again.
     
  9. Hapsburg Hellenistic polytheist Valued Senior Member

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    You certainly ought to be able to. Freedom of religion does not mean that a religious organization can commit illegal and abusive acts.
    Now, what constitutes these is a bit more hazy. Especially when certain jurisdiction pass laws designed to target a specific religion, as Hialeah, Florida did in 1992 in an attempt to persecute a Santeria organization.
     
  10. rpenner Fully Wired Valued Senior Member

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    Having experienced American Evangelical church, I have to say that the woman shouldn't have a case for the same reason that people who engage in sport like downhill skiing and boxing make the conscious choice to take the risks associated with participation.

    But this December 2011 case isn't news -- the case was decided on April 9, 2013.

    Originally suing for 50,000 USD, she settled for 3000 USD which goes to pay Medicare and the rest to her lawyers. Cheryl Jones died sometime in 2012-2013.

    http://madisonrecord.com/news/25522...l-as-congregants-rushed-to-receive-the-spirit
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2015
  11. Photizo Ambassador/Envoy Valued Senior Member

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    Nice to see you in the religion forum, brother rpenner! Based on your experience, would you mind providing the readers with your take on the "American Evangelical church"? Now, I know that doing so might be construed as a tad unorthodox to some of our more sensitive members so, if you choose not to that's understandable.
     
  12. rpenner Fully Wired Valued Senior Member

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    Highly commercial ventures, more than a bit flakey, lots of efforts for hawking lame books and gewgaws, one was so fly-by-night it was called "Church on the Move" which seems apropos for its location in an industrial park.
     
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  13. Photizo Ambassador/Envoy Valued Senior Member

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    Thanks.
     
  14. Trooper Secular Sanity Valued Senior Member

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    Texas Beer Joint Sues Church in MT.Vernon, Texas.
    There are several cute fictional stories but according to Wikipedia the one below was an actual law suit.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawsuits_against_God#Actual_suits
     
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  15. CHRIS.Q Registered Senior Member

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    + agree with
     

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